Howard Brown Health CEO Travis Gayles, MD, said proposed federal health funding cuts could undermine healthcare access, HIV prevention efforts and other services that many LGBTQ+ Chicagoans rely on.
Gayles said healthcare providers are operating under “uncertainty, confusion and chaos” as federal funding decisions create new challenges for organizations serving vulnerable communities. Despite these pressures, he said Howard Brown has continued providing the services patients rely on while looking for new opportunities to grow.
“We can control what we can control,” Gayles said. “And what we can control is being there for our patients.”
Gayles’ warning came at the start of Seven Days in June: HEALTH IS PRIMARY, a national week of action highlighting the potential consequences of federal health funding cuts.
Among the events happening in Chicago is a June 5 candlelight vigil at the AIDS Garden Chicago, 3003 Lakefront Trail, honoring people lost to HIV and other health disparities.
The gathering coincides with the 45th anniversary of the CDC’s first report publicly acknowledging the AIDS epidemic. Gayles, who plans to attend, said the anniversary serves as “a reminder of our history.”
“It’s a reminder of the lessons that have been taught, that the work continues and we can’t be complacent,” Gayles said.
Gayles said one of his biggest concerns is the potential impact on Medicaid, which provides health insurance for about 40% of Howard Brown’s patients.
“Any cuts to the Medicaid safety net are significant,” Gayles said.
He also said funding for HIV prevention and treatment programs are under threat, which could reverse decades of progress reducing new HIV cases.
“Many cities, including Chicago, were working to get to zero and had seen such significant cuts in new cases,” Gayles said. “Unfortunately, in the last couple of years, we have started to see an uptick in new cases.”
Gayles said the increases have been especially pronounced among Latino communities. In 2024, nearly half of new HIV cases were reported among Hispanics, which is a 27% increase from the year before, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
He said healthcare providers are also seeing more people diagnosed later in the course of the disease.
“We’re seeing a higher percentage of new diagnoses carrying an AIDS diagnosis upon initial diagnosis,” Gayles said.
The trends underscore the need for continued investment in testing, prevention and treatment services, he said. But Gayles stressed that healthcare extends beyond medical appointments alone.
He said programs that address housing, food insecurity, employment and other social needs often play a critical role in helping people stay healthy and remain engaged in care.
“We’ve got to build more models that are inclusive of all of those features, as opposed to ‘I need you to take this pill and it’ll keep you healthy,’” Gayles said.
Gayles said he has also been encouraged by organizations working together in response to the current political climate and by the willingness of allies to publicly support LGBTQ+ communities.
As Pride Month begins, he said that support must continue long after the celebrations end.
“Everyone wants to be vocal and show support for Pride in June, which is great,” Gayles said. “However, I need you to be standing up for Pride and standing up for the community the rest of the year as well.
“And what makes me optimistic is I’m seeing more people lean into that space and work together to try to come up with solutions.”